Two teams that failed to live up to preseason expectations will close their seasons on Sunday afternoon.
After the Chicago Cubs host the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of their three-game series, both organizations undoubtedly will face another long offseason trying to patch the holes that prevented each from reaching the postseason.
Chicago (83-78) came into this season ranked 10th in the majors by Baseball America in its annual power rankings and was a consensus National League Central favorite after coming up one game short of a wild-card berth last season.
But the Cubs could never get closer than three games of the final wild-card spot in the second half this season despite being nine games over .500 since the All-Star break.
“The thing we want to do is hard, and that’s going to require hard decisions, but the things worth doing are hard, so that’s where we’ve got to get to,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after his team was eliminated last weekend. “It’s going to be difficult. We’re not there. There’s going to be hard decisions to get there, but that’s how it’s got to work.”
Cincinnati (76-85) began the season ranked 12th by Baseball America but instead will finish as one of 13 teams with a .500 record or below.
When the Reds take the field for the final time in 2024, they’ll be riding a five-game losing streak and a 19-inning scoreless streak.
After finishing third in the National League Central a year ago and two games above .500, Cincinnati will have nothing more to gain except trying to avoid finishing last in the division.
Cincinnati had the core of its lineup returning this season, minus middle infielder Matt McLain, who underwent shoulder surgery in late March and never made it back, but an eight-game losing streak from April 30 to May 9 dropped the Reds under .500, and they haven’t climbed back to that mark.
The Reds ultimately fired manager David Bell last Sunday with five games to go.
Reds right-hander Hunter Greene, who’s set to start Sunday’s season finale, said the poor season has been a combination of fundamental issues and injuries.
“All of that plays a key role in success,” he said.
Greene said it’s important that the next manager for Cincinnati has a presence and can hold players accountable.
“You have certain managers that were maybe pitchers, catchers, infielders or outfielders,” Greene said. “Their focuses on certain players are different. Maybe that favors someone else (more) than the next person. Someone that’s able to recognize that they can pour value into any player. That’s important.”
Greene (9-5, 2.83 ERA) will make his second attempt at winning double-digit games for the first time in his three-year major-league career.
The 25-year-old made his first start since having his season interrupted by right elbow soreness in mid-August last Sunday and was limited to three innings, allowing one run and two hits and taking the loss in a 2-0 defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Greene is 4-1 in six career starts against the Cubs, with a 4.54 ERA.
The Cubs are expected to start right-hander Caleb Kilian (0-1, 7.94). Kilian was recalled from Triple-A Iowa last week and gave up six runs (five earned) on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings of relief. This will be his first start of the season.
Over seven appearances in three seasons with Chicago, he has never faced the Reds.
–Field Level Media